GCI Film Festival joins ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Buckets of bitterly cold water will be flowing for a good cause at the Gwinnett Center International Film Festival this weekend.

On Sunday, Aug. 2, the festival will present a special screening of “Hope for Steve,” a documentary sharing the journey of Hope and Steve Dezember. Following the 5 p.m. screening, film crew members and festival staff are taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of Steve and finding a cure for ALS.

In 2011, at the age of 29, Steve was diagnosed with ALS, a terminal progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Two days after receiving this devastating news, Steve proposed to his girlfriend Hope — she accepted without hesitation — and the two were married two months later. Wasting no time, Steve and Hope honeymooned, went on a cross-country road trip and crossed other things off their bucket list.

Local communities, including Johns Creek, Duluth, Norcross and more, joined forces to help raise funds for the documentary “Hope for Steve,” directed by Sarah Spicer and produced by Matthew Moore.

“This festival provides a special platform for filmmakers to tell their story and bring awareness to extraordinary causes,” Selina Branstetter, GCI Film Festival Director, said in a statement. “Films like ‘Spirit of Love: The Mike Glenn Story’ (2013 festival), ‘The Magic Bracelet’ (2014 festival) and this year’s screening of ‘Hope for Steve’ demonstrates how the power of film can help deliver an inspiring message and we are honored to share these stories with our attendees.”

Gwinnett Center International Film Festival begins Friday, July 31 and continues through Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Gwinnett Center located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

All-access day passes are $15 and weekend passes are $35 and can be purchased at GwinnettCenter.com, Gwinnett Center Box Office or by calling 770-626-2464.

For more information about the festival’s films, workshops, panel discussions or casting calls, visit gcifilmfest.com.